Whether it's a hotel, an Airbnb, or a hostel, staying somewhere you don't fully control the security of is one of the more overlooked risks of traveling. Here's a practical, no-nonsense checklist for making any short-term stay safer.

1. Check the door and locks first, before you unpack.

Test the main lock, deadbolt, and any secondary latch. If anything feels loose or doesn't fully engage, ask for a room change or contact your host immediately — don't wait until bedtime to find out your door doesn't lock properly.

2. Know who has access.

Hotel staff, previous guests with cloned keycards, and (for rentals) cleaners or the host all may have some form of access to your room. This is exactly the gap a supplementary lock like a portable door latch is designed to close — it doesn't rely on anyone else's key.

3. Keep valuables out of sight, not just locked away.

An in-room safe helps, but simple habits — not leaving passports, laptops, or jewelry visible from the window or door — reduce opportunistic theft significantly.

4. Verify peepholes and window locks.

Ground-floor rooms and rentals in particular deserve a quick window-lock check. If a window doesn't lock, ask about moving rooms.

5. Share your location with someone you trust.

Especially for solo travelers — a quick "here's where I'm staying" message to a friend or family member costs nothing and matters if something goes wrong.

6. Carry a backup layer of security.

A compact, tool-free door latch (like BlessGuard) takes seconds to install and gives you a physical barrier that isn't dependent on the property's existing lock quality. It's one of the few security measures you can bring with you and use anywhere, regardless of what kind of door or lock you find when you arrive.

None of these steps require being paranoid — they're the same basic precautions experienced travelers build into habit. A few minutes of setup can mean a much better night's sleep.